Patriot Threat. Steve Berry

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СКАЧАТЬ when they’d perused the menu and placed their orders. ‘I saw the most divine dress in a hotel boutique that would be perfect for you.’ Her eyes sharpened a little, assessing in a way that Gianna recognised would lead to more. ‘We’ll get a manicure, have a facial, share lunch. Catch up.’

      It was tempting, although her first priority had to be spending time with Teresa. Just as she was about to decline Raúl suggested, ‘Why not arrange to meet in the afternoon while Teresa rests?’

      ‘Done.’ Cristina reached into her purse and extracted a pocket diary, flipped the pages and had pen poised and ready. ‘When?’

      Good question. Teresa mentioned a lunch or two with friends, an evening charity event to which Velez-Saldaña leant their generous support.

      ‘Can I get back to you on that?’

      ‘You can.’ Cristina wrote down a phone number and handed Gianna the card. ‘Call me.’

      Pablo offered an expressive eye-roll. ‘Not to do so will be at your peril.’

      ‘You exaggerate,’ his sister rebuked.

      ‘Do I?’

      ‘It’s called efficiency.’

      ‘Officiousness.’

      Cristina and Pablo shared a sibling rivalry based on teasing affection, appearing to delight in verbal sallying at every opportunity. Something, Raúl had once confided, which had existed between them since childhood.

      Waitstaff presented their meal with artistic flair, and each morsel proved a delectable testament to the chef’s supreme reputation.

      Raúl was an urbane host, relaxed and at ease as he led Pablo into a discussion of Real Madrid’s chances of winning a soccer cup final, with spirited conclusions drawn by Cristina who, Pablo teased, had her eye on one of the team players.

      ‘Romantically,’ Pablo added, only to be volubly chastised by his sister. A tirade he chose to ignore. ‘They met at a party. Went on a date. He sent her flowers.’

      Given Cristina made no secret of her determination to remain dedicated to her career and single, it was impossible not to smile, and Gianna didn’t even try. ‘You’re not going to mention his name?’

      Cristina’s response was swift and fierce. ‘Not if he values his life.’

      A waiter’s presence to take their order for coffee was timely…so, too, was the need to leave for the Teatro Principal, where a stand-out performance by a cast in splendid costume captured and held the audience’s attention with breathtaking appreciation. Especially the female lead, whose clarity of voice and emotional delivery touched even the most insensitive heart.

      The timed breaks between each act allowed the audience to move into the foyer, and it was there the social elite gathered and acknowledged friends.

      ‘Raúl.’

      Gianna turned slightly to see if the husky feminine purr matched the woman to whom it belonged.

      It did.

      Model-slim, exquisitely gowned, beautifully jewelled, with gorgeous dark hair waved in a deceptively casual style and darkly sensuous eyes with thinly veiled intent.

      ‘Rafaela.’ His acknowledgement held polite warmth, but little more.

      ‘You should have told me you would attend the teatro tonight. I could have arranged for us to be seated together.’

      ‘We’re here as my cousins’ guests.’

      ‘We, querido?’

      Oh, please, don’t let’s play the invisible person game, Gianna dismissed mentally as she proffered a polite smile.

      ‘Gianna.’

      ‘Another cousin, querido?’

      ‘My wife.’

      Rafaela’s eyes flashed momentarily, although to give her credit she recovered quickly. ‘The marriage is over, sí?’

      ‘I have never indicated it to be.’ His voice was pure silk, like the edge of a very sharp knife grazing delicate fabric, with the threat of possible damage ever present.

      ‘But I thought…’ Rafaela trailed off delicately.

      ‘It is not something I choose to discuss.’

      Gianna bore the woman’s scrutiny well. She even managed a conciliatory smile as Rafaela graciously took her leave.

      ‘One of your many conquests?’

      ‘An acquaintance.’

      ‘Of whom there are several.’ It was a statement not a query. ‘Is that why you wear your wedding ring? To fend them off, or to provide a challenge?’

      For a moment she didn’t think he intended to answer, then he offered quietly, ‘I haven’t taken the ring off since the day you placed it there.’

      She tried hard not to let his admission touch her…and failed miserably. She wanted to offer a flippant response, but somehow the words didn’t find voice, and then it was too late as an announcement signified the conclusion of the intermission, and urged patrons to return to their seats.

      Watching the remaining acts required concentration, something Gianna found difficult to summon, and it was something of a relief when the evening concluded.

      It was only when she was alone in the car after they’d dropped Cristina and Pablo at their elderly aunt’s apartment that she sought to take Raúl to task.

      ‘Please explain why you’re choosing to imply to people that our marriage is still valid.’

      He spared her a dark look as the car traversed the distance to Teresa’s villa. ‘It isn’t?’

      ‘You know exactly what I mean.’

      ‘It’s a situation I have no inclination to change.’

      But I do, she attested silently.

      ‘Nothing to say, Gianna?’ The words were a silky taunt.

      ‘Not at this moment, no.’

      They covered the remaining distance in silence, and on entering the villa, Gianna trod the staircase without offering a word until she reached the door of her suite.

      ‘Goodnight.’ Extremely polite, she pushed the door open, entered, then quietly closed the door behind her…only to sag against its rear for several long minutes before she crossed to the bed, where she dispensed with her clothes, removed her make-up and slid between the sheets.

      It was a very warm day, Gianna determined as she slid out from the car and told Miguel she’d call him when she was ready for him to collect her.

      The cool air-conditioned hotel lobby was pleasant as СКАЧАТЬ